Garbage can cover



Dec. 17, 1968 J MORGAN 3,416,671

GARBAGE CAN COVER Filed Dec. '11, 1967 INVENTOR.

Z9 .Jo/msoi? T/Waga'pg Alfqmys United States Patent 3,416,671 GARBAGE CAN COVER Johnson T. Morgan, Rte. 13, Box 1190, Birmingham, Ala. 35216 Filed Dec. 11, 1967, Ser. No. 689,593 6 Claims. (Cl. 21183) ABSTRACT OF THE DKSCLOSURE A garbage can cover of a size to extend over and engage at least one garbage can with one side of the cover being pivotally supported for movement selectively to open and closed position. The lower end of an upwardly inclined elongated member is pivotally connected to the cover with the upper end of the elongated member extending toward and adapted to engage a supporting structure to retain the cover in closed position. A retainer element is carried by the upper end of the elongated member and releasably engages a support element carried by the supporting structure to hold the cover in open position.

Background of the invention This invention relates to a garbage can cover and more particularly to means for positively holding a pivoted cover for a garbage can selectively in closed and open position.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, difliculties have been encountered in retaining the covers of garbage, trash and similar cans or receptacles in place due to the actions of wind and animals, such as cats, dogs, rats and the like which are attracted to such cans. The removal of the covers for such cans not only presents a health hazard but the contents of the cans are often scattered over a wide area.

While the covers for relatively new garbage cans remain in place due to the frictional contact with the can, the covers or lids are often subjected to rough handling and are thrown around and bent or otherwise damaged so that they cannot be readily replaced on the cans.

Brief summary of invention In accordance with my invention, I provide a cover for one or more garbage cans which remains in a permanent position whereby it is out of the way when removed from the can whereby it cannot be damaged and where it is readily replaceable on the can. That is, means is provided to positively hold the cover in either the closed or open position whereby the cover cannot be removed until the releasable retaining means is removed and the cover is retained in an elevated position relative to the garbage can until another releasable retaining means is released.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the cover in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cover in raised or open position;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view showing another form of supporting structure which may be employed in association with my improved garbage can cover.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show in FIGS. 1 through 4 a supporting structure in the form of a wall-like member 10.

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The garbage cans indicated at 11 are shown as being supported by a supporting surface 12.

My improved structure comprises a cover member 13 of a size to extend over and engage the tops of the garbage cans 11 when in the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A depending flange 14 is provided around the periphery of the cover member 13 to retain the garbage cans 11 in position beneath the cover member and to protect the open ends of the cans against wind and rain and also to improve the appearance of the cover member.

Hinge elements 16 in the form of generally U-shaped brackets are mounted at one side of the cover member 13 in position to receive supporting hinge elements 17 which are secured to the supporting structure by suitable means, such as bolts 18. The support element 17 is provided with a relatively long, vertical recess 19 therein for receiving the hinge element 16 whereby a limited amount of free vertical movement is permitted between the hinge elements 16 and 17. That is, the hinge element 16 is adapted for vertical movement relative to the hinge element 17 whereby the cover member 13 can adjust itself to the top of the garbage cans 11. It is desirable to have this relative vertical movement of the cover member and the tops of the garbage cans 11 due to the fact that all garbage cans are not of the same height and also the tops of garbage cans are often dented and distorted as the contents thereof are emptied. While I have shown the elongated recess 19 as being in the hinge element 17 secured to the supporting structure 10, it will be apparent that the hinge element 16 could extend in a vertical plane whereby it would then have the elongated recess therein for receiving the other hinge element carried by the supporting structure 10.

Pivotally connected to the top of the cover member 13 by a hinge 21 is an upwardly inclined, elongated member 22 which extends toward the supporting structure 10. The upwardly inclined member 22 is of a Weight so that the upper end thereof is urged into engagement with the supporting structure 10. That is to say, the upper end of the elongated member 22 engages the vertical supporting structure 10 while the cover 13 is in closed position to prevent upward movement of the cover member 13 about its pivotal connection to the supporting structure 10.

Secured to the upper end of the upwardly inclined member 22 is an outwardly projecting detent 23 which is adapted to engage a supporting element 24 carried by the supporting structure 10 while the cover member 13 is in the raised or open position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Preferably, the support element 24 is in the form of a generally U-shaped bracket having its legs secured to the supporting structure 10, as shown. The detent 23 is releasably connected to the support element 24 whereby the cover member 13 may be lowered to closed position by merely moving the upper end of the elongated member 22 outwardly away from the supporting structure 10.

Secured to the upwardly inclined member 22 intermediate its ends, as at 26 is one end of a flexible member 27 which extends upwardly over the base of the U-shaped member 24 as at 28 and then extends downwardly alongside or between the garbage cans 11, as shown. Attached to the lower end of the flexible member 27, as at 29, is one end of a treadle 31. The other end of the treadle 31 engages the supporting surface 12 whereby the end at tached to the flexible member 27 is elevated relative to the end engaging the surface 12. Accordingly, upon depressing the treadle 31, the flexible member 27 is pulled downwardly whereby the portion thereof attached to the elongated member 22 is pulled upwardly to thus move the upper end of the elongated member 22 outwardly away from the supporting structure 10 and then upwardly to the position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, whereby the cover member 13 is moved to open position. The treadle 31 is adapted for use when the person placing garbage in the cans 11 does not have a hand free for moving the elongated member 22 outwardly away from the supporting structure 10 and then lifting the cover member 13.

In FIG. 5 of the drawing, I show a supporting structure a which may be employed rather than a vertical wall 10. The supporting structure 10a comprises a vertical member 32 having a U-shaped supporting bracket 24a adjacent the upper end thereof which corresponds to supporting bracket 24 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4. Secured to the vertical member 32 in a horizontal support member 33 having vertically disposed supporting hinge elements 17a which are secured to the horizontal member 32 by bolts 18a. The hinge elements 17a are spaced from each other and from the vertical member 32 a distance to be in alignment with the hinge elements 16 carried by the cover member 13 whereby the cover member may be supported at a distance from a building having a supporting wall 10. That is, the supporting structure 10a would be particularly adapted for supporting garbage cans in an open yard where no other vertical supporting structure is available.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved apparatus will be readily understood. To place garbage into cans 11, a person merely lifts the upper end of the elongated member 22 whereby it disengages the supporting structure 10 or 10a, as the case may be. The cover member 13 may then be lifted to raised or open position whereupon the detent 23 is then inserted in the supporting bracket 24 whereby the cover member 13 is retained in open position. With the cover member 13 moved to open position, garbage may be placed in the cans 11 or the cans 11 may be removed and emptied. To close the cover member 13, a person merely pulls the upper end of the elongated member 22 outwardly whereby the detent 23 disengages the supporting bracket 24 thus permitting the cover member 13 to pivot downwardly to closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Where it is desired to move the cover member 13 to open position without using the hands, a person presses downwardly on the treadle 31 whereupon the flexible member 27 moves the elongated member 22 about its hinge 21 away from the supporting structure 10 or 10a, as the case may be, whereupon continued upward movement of the flexible member 27 lifts the cover member 13 whereby garbage may be placed in the cans 11 without the use of the persons hands.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved cover for garbage cans. By providing an upwardly inclined, elongated member 22 which is pivotally connected to the cover member and falls by its own weight against the vertical supporting surface, the cover member 13 is automatically locked in the closed position each time the cover member 13 is lowered. Accordingly, the cover member 13 cannot be lifted until the upper end of the inclined member 22 is pulled outwardly whereupon it disengages the supporting structure. By providing releasable securing means in position to engage the uppermost end of the upwardly inclined member 22, the cover member 13 is retained in open position for placing garbage in the cans or removal of the cans for emptying with a minimum of effort on the part of the user. Furthermore, by providing a cover member which is releasably held in open position adjacent a supporting structure, the cover remains in this fixed position whereby it is not damaged while the can is emptied and at the same time it is in the exact location for replacement on the tops of the garbage cans.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof,

and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a garbage can cover for use with at least one garbage can positioned adjacent a supporting structure:

(a) a cover member of a size to extend over and engage the top of at least one garbage can,

(b) means pivotally connecting one side of said cover member to said supporting structure for movement selectively to open position and closed position,

(0) an upwardly inclined elongated member pivotally connected adjacent its lower end to said cover member with the upper end of said elongated member extending toward said supporting structure and being in position to engage said supporting structure to retain said cover member in closed position,

(d) a support element disposed to be carried by said supporting structure at an elevation above said means pivotally connecting said cover member to said supporting structure, and

(e) a retainer element carried by an upper portion of said elongated member in position to detachably engage said support element to retain said cover member in open position.

2. A garbage can cover as defined in claim 1 in which the means pivotally connecting one side of said cover member to said supporting structure comprises:

(a) a first hinge element carried by said cover member, and

(b) a second hinge element disposed to be mounted on said supporting structure in position to engage said first hinge element with a limited amount of free vertical movement of said hinge elements relative to each other to permit said cover member to adjust itself to the top of a subjacent garbage can.

3. A garbage can cover as defined in claim 1 in which the weight of said upwardly inclined elongated member is suflicient to urge the upper end thereof into engagement with an adjacent supporting structure to restrain upward movement of said cover member until said upper end of the elongated member is moved away from the supporting structure.

4. A garbage can cover as defined in claim 1 in which said retainer element carried by the upper end of said elongated member is a detent projecting toward said supporting structure and said support element is a bracket disposed to receive said detent.

5. A garbage can cover as defined in claim 1 in which a flexible member is attached at one end to said elongated member intermediate the ends thereof and extends upwardly over said support element and then downwardly alongside the garbage can to be covered and one end of a treadle is attached to the other end of said flexible member, said one end of the treadle being supported at an elevation above the other end thereof so that upon depressing said treadle said other end of said flexible member is moved downwardly to thus raise said one end of the flexible member and said elongated member attached thereto whereby the cover member is moved toward open position.

6. A garbage can cover as defined in claim 1 in which the cover member is of a size to extend across a plurality of cans and a depending flange is provided at the periphery of said cover member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,808,173 10/1957 Patnode 220-18 3,224,717 12/1965 Mott 211-83 XR THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. T. HALL, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

